Road-scraper.



PATENTBD SEPT. 22, 1903.

M. G. BUNNELL. ROAD SGRAPER.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 5. 1901.

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10 MODEL.

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No. 739,383. PATENTBD SEPT. 22, 1903. M. a BUNNBLL. ROAD SG'RAPER.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 5, 1901.

no MODEL.

Fatentecl September 2 2,

(UNITED STATEs PATENT OFFICE.

MORTON G. BUNNELL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN MENTS, TO WESTERN WHEELED, SCRAPER COMPANY, OF AURORA, ILLI= NOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

ROA D-SCRAPER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 739,383, dated September 22, 1903.

Application filed April 5,1901. Serial No. 54AM. (N model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern: Be it known that I, MORTON G.- BUNNELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Road-Scrapers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a construction 0 road-scraper involving an adjustable scraperblade suspended from a frame or body supported upon front and rear vehicle-wheels.

' Objects of my invention are to secure diranged bearings, which prevent rocking or rect draft for the scraper-blade, to prevent tilting or Wabbling on the part of the bodyframe, to simplify and improve the mechanism for adjusting the scraper-blade and also for adjusting the body sidewise upon the long rear axle, to permit free tilting of the front axle in turning around, and to provide certain details and features of improvement tending to increase the general efficiency and to render a machine of this character satisfactory and serviceable.

To the foregoing and other useful ends the turn table which supports the blade may have a direct connection with the evener, the arrangement being preferably in the nature of a jointed connection between the goose neck and the hammer-strap. In this way the pull of the blade is communicated directly to the draft appliances. The king-bolt can pass through the said connection, and with such arrangement the draft connection between the blade and evener sustains the draft of the vehicle as well. In other words, the team pulls the blade and the draft devices of the latter pull the vehicle which is the reverse of the usual arrangement. Ordinarily ,the

team pulls the vehicle and the draft of the.

blade is on the vehicle-frame. Furthermore, in my improved construction the forward running-gear is. provided with laterally-arrolling of the body-frame upon the front axle when the machine is either traveling straight ahead or describing a large circle, but which do not interfere with free-tilting of the axle in turning around. In this way the frame is steadied and the forward running-gear re lieved of injurious strains.

from the frame at a point substantially mid- The various adjustmentsof the blade and also the adjustment of the frame or body upon the rear axle are accomplished through the medium of suitable worm-gearing. This worm-gearing is of such character as to render the adjusting mechanism self-locking,

thereby obviating the necessity of providing fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is aside elevation of the road-scraperconstructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan of the same. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the machine shown in Figs. land 2, and Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of the same. Fig. 5 is a transverse section on line a: m of Fig- 1. Fig. 6 isa plan-of the worm-gearing, illustrating its adaptation for raising and lowering the scraper-blade. Fig. 7 shows a modified form of worm-gearing. Fig. 8 is a face view of the novel form of worm shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 9 is anenlarged side elevation of the forward portion of the body-frame and the adjacent portion of the axle.

' As thus illustrated my invention comprises the suitably constructed body frame A, mounted upon front and rear vehicle-wheels l and 2. The said frame can be provided with a drivers seat 3 and a tool-box and footboard 4. The scraper-bladeC is suspended .9 Way between the front and rear wheels. This scraper-blade is preferablysecured to a turn-.

table D, whereby it can be rotated, and thus adjusted to the proper angle,.it being understood that the most efficient action is obtained by turning the blade at an angle, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2.

The draft appliances can be of the usual form and may consist of the tongue .E and the evener E. The evener is secured to the bearings G.

tongue by the usual hammer-strap e. In order to secure direct draft for the scraperblade, the gooseneck F may be connected with the hammer-strap by means oflinksf. These links are preferably connected with the kingbolt f, thereby making the latter a part of the connecting medium between the blade and evener. Thus arranged the blade hasa jointed connection with the draft appliances.

With this arrangement the resistance of the scraper-blade will be communicated directly to the evener, so that the'team will pull the blade through the medium of a direct connection rather than through the medium of some portion of the vehicle-frame. With the arrangement shown the draft of the vehicle will be upon the said bolt, the bolt in this way, together with the hammer-strap and evener, sustaining the draft of both the vehicle and scraper-blade. This construction may be modified or "aried, ifdesired, and for this reason I do not limit myself to the construction shown and described. The object of this feature of my invention is to throw the draft of the blade directly upon the team, so as to relieve the body-frame of injurious strains. Broadly considered, therefore, my invention contemplates a road-scraper comprising a blade having a direct connection with the draft appliances.

As previouslystated, the forward runninggear is constructed with laterally-arranged These bearings are, it will be observed, of such character that the bodyframe cannot roll or rock upon the axle when the, machine is running straight ahead ordescribing a large circle. Each bearing consists of a beveled or rounded portion g, which is secured to the body-frame, anda similarly rounded or beveled portion g, which is secured either directly or indirectly to the front axle. Thus formed and arranged these portions present opposing convex or rounded surfaces, which meet and bear upon each other when the axle occupies a position at right angles or substantially at right angles to the length of the frame. \Vhen the axle. is skewed, as in turning around, the bearing portions carried by the axle are not in engagement with the bearing portions on the frame, and consequently the axle is at such times free to tilt or rock, so as not to subject the running-gear and frame structure to injurious strains. When the axle is returned to its normal position, the rounded or convex bearing portions of the axle slide readily beneath the bearing portions on the frame. In this way the bearings G operate to steady and brace the frame upon the axle, but do not in any way interfere with the movements of the latterthat is to say, do not prevent the axle from tilting or rocking in turning around nor from returning to its normal position at right angles or substantially at right angles to the frame. This feature of my invention is also capable of more or less modification and change, and I do not, therefore, limit myself to the details or particular arrangem ent shown and described.

The aforedescribed scraper-blade is, as pre' viously stated, supported .for adjustment in various directions. Preferably the blade has the aforedescribed rotary movement, which is accomplished through the medium of the worm-gearing H, the shaft h, and the crankshaft. h, which can be connected by the universal joint 72. with the said shaft it. These shafts, it will be observed, extend rearwardly, and the crank 72 is preferably located within reach of the attendant standing on the rear platform 5. The said worm-gearing consists of the worm h, (to be hereinafter more fully described,) which engages the teeth cl of the turn-table D. This turn-table is, as previ ously explained, mounted for rotary movement, so as to adjust the blade angularly, and in the arrangement shown this adjustment can be accomplished by rotating the shafts h and 71. so as to turn the worm, and

I thereby cause the teeth on the turn-table to travel or pass across its face. This wormgearing, as will hereinafter more fully appear, is of such character that its operation not only produces the desired adjustment, but that it when at rest serves as a lock for locking the turn-table against further movement.

For the purpose of providing for an upand-down movement of the blade, so as to permit the blade to be raised and lowered at will, the end portions of the gooseneck F can be connected by hanger rods I with the rocker-arms or bell-cranks I, which are suitably pivoted to some portion of the frame structure. With this arrangement the blade can be raised and lowered by rocking or swinging the said bell-cranks about their points of pivotal connection with the frame.

Any suitable known or approved device or arrangement can be adopted for causing this rocking motion on the part of the bell-crank. Preferably, however, and as a matter of further improvement the said bell-cranks are connected with the hand-wheels 12, which are mounted at the rear of the machine and which are within reach of the attendant standing on the said platform. The rack-bars I are preferably employed as mediums of connection between said hand-wheels and bell-cranks. The shaft of each hand-wheel is preferably provided with a worm 1 similar to that previously described, and the said rack-bars are provided with teeth which engage said worm. This particular application of the worm mechanism is illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7. In these figures the worm is shown as consisting of a cone having its face provided with a spiral thread or web 2'. The teeth on the rack-bar are so formed and arranged as to engage the said thread. When the worm is rotated, it isobvious that the thread will engage the teeth in succession and cause the bar to shift longitudiually. This longitudinal shift or adjustment on the part of the bars will cause ICO IIO

the bell-cranks to rock, and thereby eitherraise or lower the scraper-blade, according to the direction .in whichthe hand-wheels are turned. The power-transmitting connection thus provided between the hand-whee1s and such manner that it can be readily swung.

from side to side. To such end the turn-table structure can be connected by means of a rod J with a bar J, which is adjustably secured to the under side of the body-frame. This bar is adjustable longitudinally, and, being connected with the turn-table structure, will-obviously cause the blade to swing to one side or the other, according to the direction in which-the bar isadjusted. As in the case of former adjustments, this longitudinal adjustment of the bar can be effectedin any suitable or desired manner;v but as a matter of furtherand special improvement the rear edge of said bar is formed with teeth, which are engaged by a worm J similar to those previously described.

With this arrangement the side shift or adjustment of the blade can be readily accomplishe'd by rotating the shaft'J".

L This worm is mounted at the forward end of the longitudinally and horizontally arranged.

V. V In practice and for certain purposes it is desirable to provide for a lateral or side shift of the .rear end of, the body-frame. To this end the rear axle is preferably of some length and'so connected with the body-frame as to permit the latter to shiftreadily from sideto side. In other words, the rear end of the body-frameis free to slide or shift laterally.

upon the rear axle. This lateral side shift or adjustment on the part of the rear end of thebody-frame can be'accomplished in any suitable or desired manner.

I As a matter of special improvement, however, theaxleis provided with teeth, and the, worm K, similar to those'employed for adjusting the blade,

is arranged'in position toengage'saidteeth,

crank-shaft K. By rotating this crank-shaft, which is support-ed in bearingssecured tothe underside of the platform, the body-frame maybe caused to shift or slide sidewise along the axle. The worm, as in its previous applications, constitutes not only a powerful adjustingdevice, butserves also to lock the. body frame and rear axle against relative; movement. This feature, like the other features of my invention, is capable of extensive modification: and ehange, and a for; thisreason I do not limit myself to the exact, construe-r This worm is mount- -ed at the forward end of therearwardly-extending crank-shaft J and the crank of this. shaft is, like the hand-wheels and former crank, accessible from the .rear platform;

.tion or arrangement shown and described.-'

It maybe stated, however, that the form of worm shown in Fig; 6 is preferable, inasmuch as this form obviates the necessity of employing the bevel-gearing shown in Fig. 7. I

In fact, with the form shown in Fig. 6 the handwheel and worm can, if desired, be mounted without any intermediate gearing or flexible connection whatever between them.

In other words, the form of worm device shown in Fig. 6 is preferable, for the reason that it is cheaper and involves but few parts.

With respect to the preferredform of wormgearing, as shown in Fig. 6, it will be seen that the arrangement and formation are such that the axis of the worm-gear is at an angle to the reciprocating rack. With this arrange- ,ment and mode of operation the worm-gearing is easily operated and exceedingly efficient in adjusting the scraper-blade or other It will be understood, however, that this joint can, if desired, be omittedand that the hand-wheel can be rigidly mounted upon the shaft of the worm. In other words, with the arrangement shown in Fig. 6 the axis of. the worm extends at an angle to therack,

part of the machine to which it is applied a As shown in Fig. 6, the hand-wheel has a .flexible or universal-joint connection-With the worm.

while in Fig. 7 the axis and rack are para-lleL;

Thusit will be seen that Iprovide an ex ceedingly simple and efficient construction,

.that I provide a novel and highly-efficient ,form of adjusting mechanism adapted for use in adjusting the blade andalso in adjust-t ing the body-frame upon the long rear axle,-

lieving the frame structure from injurious strains. I wish to call attention, however,

-to' the fact that the broad claims for my im-' provedside bearings-for the front axle are contained in an application for improvement .in running-gear, Serial No. 86,912, filed byme in the Patent Office on December 23, 1901.

. What I claim as my invention is- 1 1. In a road-scraper, the combination ofathat I simplify and improve the draft; that :I provide a simple-and effective arrangement ,for preventing a rolling or rockingof the V body-frame upon the front axle and for resuitable body-frame, a scraper-blade, rear- ,wardly-extending rack-bars, suitable connection betweenthe forward ends of said rackbars and the scraper-blade structure, wormsmounted and arranged to engage the rear end portions of said rack-bars, the'axis of each worm extending at an angle toits alloted rack-bar, and suitable hand-wheels for rotating said Worms. I a

2. In a road-scraper, the combination of a suitably-wheeled body-frame, a scraper-blade arranged between the front and rear wheels-,-

rearwardly 7 extending and longitudinallyshiftingrack-bars, ;bell-cran ks serving as1n1edium of connection between'the forwardends of said bars and the scraper-blade structure,

,worms mounted and arranged to; engage the .rear end. portions of said rack-bars, and'suitable hand-wheels for rotating said worms, so as to shift the rack-bars longitudinally and thereby raise or lower the scraper-blade.

3. In a road-scraper, the combination of a suitably-wheeled vehicle-frame, a turntable arranged between the front and rear wheels, said turn-table having a circle-iron with internally-arranged teeth, a scraper-blade rigidly secured to said circle-iron, a worm mounted and arranged to engage the teeth on said circle-iron, and means for rotating said worm .so as to rotate the circle-iron and vary the angle of the blade.

4. In a road-scraper the combination of a suitably-wheeled body-frame, a turn-table having a circular rack, a scraper-blade rigidly secured to said circular rack, a worm mounted and arranged to engage the teeth on said rack, said worm having its axis extending at an angle to said rack, and a rotatable shaft for rotating said worm, so as to vary the angle of the blade.

5. In a road-scraper, the combinationof a suitably-wheeled body-frame, a long rear axle for the rear wheels, the body-frame being shiftable laterally along the length of said axle, and a rack and worm for thus shifting the body-frame upon the said axle, said worm having its axis extending at an angle to the rack.

6. In a road-scraper, the combination of a suitably-wheeled body-frame, ascraper-blade suspended from the body-frame, means, for raising and lowering the scraper-blade and changing its angle, a long rear axle for the rear vehicle-wheels, the said body-frame being capable of lateral shift or sliding movement along the length of said axle, a rack rigid with said axle, a rotary member provided with a spiral thread adapted to engage the teeth on said rack, and means for rotat' ing said member, so as to cause the bodyframe to shift laterally upon the said axle.

7. In a road-scraper, the combination of a suitably-wheeled body frame, a scraperblade, a tongue provided with a hammerstrap, a turn-table, a gooseneck arranged to carry the scraper-blade, upper and lower bolsters for the forward running-gear, a kingbolt extending through said bolsters, a link connecting said king-bolt with said hammerstrap, and a link connecting the king-bolt with said gooseneck.

8. A road-machine, comprising a suitablywheeled body-frame, a long rear axle for the rear vehicle-wheels, suitable connection between said axle and body-frame, the connection being such that the body-frame can shift or slide laterally on said axle, and a worm arranged to engage teeth on said axle, the said worm being mounted for rotation, so as to cause the body-frame to slide or shift laterally on the axle, substantially as described.

9. In a road-scraper, the combination of a suitably-wheeled bod y-frame, a scraper-blade arranged between the front and rear wheels, rearwardly extending and longitudinallyshiftable rack-bars, lifting devices serving as medium of connection between the forward ends of said bars and the scraper-blade structure, Worms mounted and arranged to engage the toothed rear end portions of said rackbars, and suitable hand-wheels for rotating said worms, so as to shift the rack-bars longitudinally and thereby raise or lower the scraper-blade.

10. A road-machine,comprising a suitablywheeled body-frame, a long rear axle for the rear vehicle-wheels, suitable connection between said axle and body-frame, the connection being such that the body-frame can shift or slide laterally on said axle, anda worm arranged to engage teeth on said axle, the said worm being mounted for rotation, so as to cause the body-frame to slide or shift laterally on the axle, substantially as described.

11. In a road-scraper, the combination of a suitably-wheeled body-frame, a tongue suitably secured to the forward axle, a hammerstrap on said tongue, upper and lower bolsters for the forward running-gear, a kingbolt extending through said bolsters, and suitable connections whereby said king-bolt serves as a medium of connection between the scraper-blade structure and the said hammer-strap.

12. A road-scraper, comprising a suitablywheeled body-frame, ascraper-blade supported by said body-frame, suitable draft appliances, and links connecting the blade structure with the hammer-strap of said draft appliances, substantially as described.

13. In a road-scraper, the combination of a suitably-wheeled body-frame, a scraperblade suspended between the front and rear wheels, and laterally-arranged bearings for the forward running-gear, said bearings being adapted to hold the blade at a level with the forward axle when the machine is running straight ahead, but permitting the said axle to tilt freely when turned to an angle with the blade.

14. Aroad-scra per,comprisingabody-frame suitably mounted upon front and rear vehiole-wheels, a scraper-blade suitably supported by said body-frame, the forward runninggear. being provided with laterally-arranged bearings which prevent rocking or rolling of the body-frame upon the front axle, when the latter is at right angles with the body-frame, but which permita free tilting of the axle when the same is turned to one side, substantially as described.

15. In a road-scraper, the combination of asuitably-wheeled body-frame, a blade structure carrying a scraperblade, a tongue suitably eonnected with the forward axle, a hammer-strap on said tongue, connections whereby said hammer-strap sustains the draft of the wheeled body-frame, and suitable connections whereby the bladestructure also has direct draft from the said hammer-strap.

16. A road-scraper, comprising a suitablywheeled body-frame, a scraper-blade sup- IIO ported by said body-frame, and a direct draft connection between the scraper-blade and the hammer-strap of said draft appliances, substantially as described.

17. A road-scraper,com prising a body-frame mounted upon front and rear vehicle-wheels, a scraper-blade suitably supported by said body-frame, rounded or convex bearing portions secured to the forward portion of the body-frame, and similarly rounded or convex bearing portions mounted upon the front axle, the bearings on the axle engaging the bearing portions upon the frame, when the axle isat right angles to the latter, but the axle being free to tilt when turned to one side, substantially as described.

18. A road-scraper comprising a suitably wheeled body-frame, a scraper-blade supported by said body-frame and mounted for, vertical adjustment, hand-wheels arranged at the rear of said body-frame, a worm for each wheel, longitudinally-shifting rack-bars engaging said worms, and means for connecting said rack-bars with the blade, the rotation of the hand-wheels operating to raise and lower the blade, substantially as described.

19. In a road-scraper, a suitably constructed body-frame, front and rear vehicle-wheels, a scraper-blade suitably supported by said body-frame, rounded or beveled bearing portions 9 secured to the body-frame, similarly rounded or beveled bearing portions g supported by and rigid with the front axle, substantially as and'for the purpose described. v 20. A road-scraper, comprising a suitably,- wheeled body-frame, a scraper-bladesupported by said body-frame and arranged forbodily side shift or lateral adjustment, a bar adj ustably secured to said body-frame, means for connecting said bar to saidblad e, a rotary worm arranged to engage teeth on said adobeingprovided with a toothed rack, a worm arranged to engage the teeth of said rack, the axis of said worm extending at an angle to the rack, and means for rotating said worm, so as to turn the blade about its vertical axis, substantially as described.

MORTON G. BUNNELL.

Witnesses:

HERBERT F. OBERGFELL,

HARVEY L. HANSON. 

